HMS Defender fires MBDA Sea Viper missile for the first time

Posted On
Friday, 16 May 2014 10:53

a

Naval
Force News - United Kingdom

Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer HMS Defender fires MBDA Sea Viper missile
for the first time

Leaving
its launcher on the forecastle of HMS Defender is Sea Viper –
the Royal Navy’s principal shield against air attack. Seconds
after bursting free from its silo, the 310kg (683lb) missile was hurtling
through the Atlantic skies at nearly four times the speed of sound.

Its prey was a Mirach drone – a 13ft remote-controlled jet which
flies at speeds of up to of 530kts (more than 600mph) from altitudes
as low as 10ft or as high as 40,000ft.

A
blinding flash of fire announces the moment the fifth of the Royal Navy’s
Type 45 destroyers is ready to take her place in the line of battle.
Made by MBDA, Sea Viper comes in two versions: Aster 15 and Aster 30
missiles with ranges up to 20 and 75 miles respectively. Picture: Royal
Navy

It
was smashed clean out of the sky by Sea Viper, proving the Portsmouth-based
warship’s ability to live up to her name and defend the Fleet.

“This is the highlight of my Naval career and the culmination
of months of hard work for my section. It has been really pleasing to
put years of training into action,” said a delighted Chief Petty
Officer Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineer) ‘Nobby’
Hall, Defender’s Sea Viper maintainer.

The successful missile firing is the final act in two years of intensive
training by the 190-strong ship’s company and means Defender
is now ready to deploy on operations around the world, like HMS Daring,
Dauntless, Diamond and Dragon before her.

“HMS Defender has today proven her worth as the Royal Navy’s
ultimate air defender,” said her Commanding Officer Commander
Phil Nash.

“I am extremely proud of my ship’s company who have worked
tirelessly to make this firing a success.

“We now look forward to our first operational deployment, defending
the UK’s interests wherever tasked around the world.”

The Sea Viper system is a quantum leap forward from the Sea Dart
missile on the now-decommissioned class of Type 42 destroyers Defender
and her sisters have replaced.

The Sampson radar system on top of the ship’s main mast can
track hundreds of contacts in the skies up to 250 miles away.

And the Sea Viper itself can intercept incoming targets at ranges
up to 20 and 75 miles depending on which version is used, manoeuvring
for the kill at G Forces no human could endure.

The combination of the radar and missile mean Defender can engage
a large number of targets simultaneously – and defend aircraft
carriers or task groups – against current and future threats
from the air.

HMS Defender is now returning to Portsmouth to undertake a short
period of maintenance and some well-earned leave for her sailors,
before departing the UK on her first operational deployment.

The sixth and final Type
45 destroyer, HMS Duncan, is undergoing training ahead of her
first Sea Viper firing and maiden deployment.